19 May 2008

TSMC and UMC Receive Big Orders from NVIDIA

China Economic News (CENS) says:

To keep up with strong demand for its graphics chips, Nvidia Corp. will increase outsourcing to silicon foundries Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) and United Microelectronics Crop. (UMC).

Chip-making equipment suppliers pointed out that throughout last quarter Nvidia had contracted TSMC to make a record 50,000 wafers of 65nm chips and UMC to make 7,000-9,000 wafers of similar chips. Although Nvidia has scaled down contract volume of G80 chips by 3-5% as part of its effort to work off overstock, the company has increased foundry contracts of its G92B, G94 and G96 chips. Accordingly, industry watchers forecast contract volume to TSMC would surge to 60,000 wafers and the volume to UMC to rise to 10,000-12,000 wafers next quarter.

NVIDIA's strong growth is good for Taiwan's foundries. I am sure these orders are well received by both TSMC and UMC. NVIDIA however is also backing VIA Isaiah processors and therefore supporting a third significant Taiwanese company. CENS says:

In competition against Intel in Mobile Internet Device (MID) market, Nvidia has decided to side with VIA by supporting its Isaiah microprocessors.

Article: Nvidia to Increase Foundry Outsourcing to TSMC and UMC

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